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Articles on Shed and Barn Building
Okay, I admit it ... I think about sheds way too much. Most of my recent articles on the topic can be found in my blog. This page includes short summaries of each article ...
Sheds and Groundhogs
Everyone loves Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog with a legendary knack for predicting the weather . If you're getting ready to add a backyard shed, there are two important things to learn from Phil, whether or not there's an early...Posted on February 2, 2007 03:01 PM
Storage Facility or Storage Shed?
Are you thinking about stowing your stuff in a storage facility? Have
you taken the time to compare the cost of storage space rental to the
cost of purchasing a storage shed? Depending on your needs, the difference
in cost...
Posted on February 1, 2007 02:43 PM
What's the Cost of Building a Shed?
"What does it cost to build a shed?" is one of the most common questions
we receive. The bottom line is on the minds of most homeowners - whether
they're looking to build a cheap shed, put up a...
Posted on January 26, 2007 11:09 PM
Prefab Trusses
A reader wrote in last week, asking about prefab trusses and sheer walls: What kind of shear wall would I need for a 10x10 shed? I plan on buying prefabbed trusses from a local lumber company and there will be...Posted December 29, 2006 02:27 PM
Custom Shed Pricing
A reader wrote in about a week ago, asking about deals on wooden sheds:
I was looking to buy a wooded shed (USED or build one). I was looking
at the prices for prebuilt wooded sheds at Lowes and Home...
Posted on December 28, 2006 01:45 PM
That Second Shed
I had been planning to add a second smaller storage shed to the yard for some time now. There's a sweet set of pole-frame plans sitting on the bookshelf, but I just haven't had the time or cash to get...Posted on November 30, 2006 10:52 AM
Garden Shed Permit Shock
Do you need to get a permit to put a garden shed in your backyard? As Mike Howard of West Berkshire in the UK found out the hard way, it's better to be safe than sorry. Three years after he...Posted on November 15, 2006 11:55 PM
10x10 Storage Shed Kit or 10x14?
Sean wrote: "I'm looking for a shed kit that comes with everything." He's looking for a storage shed with 10X10 dimensions. "Big enough to put an ATV and dirt bike in there, and still have lots of room for tools...Posted on November 14, 2006 08:19 AM
Storm KOs Garden Shed
You'll do well to place your new garden shed out of harms way. On Monday, a fierce windstorm in Southwest Washington caused a tree to topple on a local family's garden shed, crushing the shed beyond repair, as seen in...Posted on November 13, 2006 11:54 PM
Converting a Garage to Living Space
Tom wrote: "I have a small lot and with six kids we need more room. Moving would be ideal, but since we're staying (for the time being) we need more storage. We were thinking on converting the garage into another...Posted on November 12, 2006 09:21 AM
Free 8x10 Storage Shed Plans
Looking to build an 8x10 shed? Want a set of free storage shed plans? Look no further! Truth be told, there are some good looking storage shed plans out there, and there are some real ugly ones. Most of the...Posted on November 11, 2006 10:48 AM
Wood Shed Siding
Thinking about buying or building a wood shed? There's no better building material than wood for a backyard shed. Once you've chosen a style for your wood shed, you'll need to decide what type of siding to use. With...Posted on November 5, 2006 10:13 PM
Backyard Shed and Barn Video
Looking for the best shed for your backyard? You've come to right place. Since 1999, the Geekbooks shed site has helped tens of thousands of folks in their quest to find the ultimate backyard shed. The key is we...Posted on October 24, 2006 07:56 PM
Best Time to Buy a Storage Shed?
Is Fall the best time to buy a pre-built storage shed? The thought occurred
to me yesterday, while I was cruising down the highway. I spotted the
little yellow sign at the front of the garden center's lot: "Fall Special!...
Posted on October 2, 2006 11:25 AM
Barn Plans With Loft
Shawn wrote in, looking to build a large shed in his backyard. "I saw a shed once, barn style, 20 X 24 with a full size loft. I can't get the one I want built in the area I live...Posted on September 27, 2006 10:09 PM
10 x 14 Saltbox Run-in Shed
Steve wrote in recently, looking for some run-in shed plans. He doesn't need a big shed, just enough room for one horse. After checking through some of my favorite designer's sites, I came up with a couple of possibilities. I'm...Posted on September 26, 2006 10:07 PM
Home Office Sheds, Pt. II
No sooner did I write about home office sheds than what do I find in my emailbox? Why an invitation from none other than Bob Staake, one of the coolest digital illustrators walking the face of the Earth, inviting me...Posted on September 19, 2006 11:59 PM
Garage Shelves
Our garage is a mess, yet again. It's like walking through an obstacle course out there. While the lawn and garden stuff is out in the backyard shed, for the most part, the garage shelves are brimming with assorted stuff...Posted on September 16, 2006 02:26 PM
Building a Shed on the Cheap
Looking to build a cheap shed? You're not alone! Shed building doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. The good news is that you don't have to sink a fortune to build a nice little structure. You just...Posted on September 9, 2006 11:01 AM
The Home Office Shed
Riffing on my piece about guest house sheds a few days back, I wanted to revisit the thought that there's a trend afoot to build outbuildings that are truly habitable and purpose-specific. But this trend's not just about living space....Posted on September 7, 2006 07:34 PM
How Many Sheds is Too Many?
It's inevitable, in many cases and in many backyards. At some point after you cut the ribbon on first shed, it becomes your first shed ... not just the shed. For whatever reasons (and there are many), you soon outgrow...Posted on September 6, 2006 11:48 AM
Guest House Shed on a Budget
Can you live in a shed? These are different times, of course, but shed living worked famously for Thoreau. A reader wrote in looking for ideas on building a guest house shed in her mother's backyard. She would like something...Posted on September 2, 2006 11:54 AM
Tiny Playhouse Kit
Jean wrote in, looking for a small shed kit to build a little playhouse for the kids that will also function as a poolhouse/changing room. Space is at a premium and the structure cannot exceed a tiny footprint of just...Posted on September 1, 2006 01:47 PM
Metal Livestock Barns
The mailbag is full and today's question is about livestock barns ... small livestock, specifically. HC wrote in looking for information on building a kit barn for their goats, sheep, mini horses and alpacas. I've become a big fan of...Posted on August 17, 2006 10:12 AM
Inexpensive Shed Windows
Mike wrote in looking for a source of inexpensive windows for his shed project. "I am not concerned whether they are double hung, jalousie, casement or whatever, just inexpensive," he wrote. "Do you have a source that you would share...Posted on August 16, 2006 11:24 AM
Saltbox Pool Bar Shed Plans?
The dog days of August are upon us and no backyard oasis is complete without a pool bar. Or so they say. We're still waiting for our ship to come in and the chance to build a pool. Meanwhile, one...Posted on August 15, 2006 11:55 AM
Outdoor Storage Sheds
Sheds. Is there anything they can't do? Prized for its utility, the outdoor storage shed takes on many roles. Two sheds start their lives together, hammered together by hard-working Amish folks. The prefab sheds travel by flatbed truck to the...Posted on July 21, 2006 10:22 AM
Pole Barns
Is a pole barn right for you? If you're on a tight budget and need to build a small to mid-size barn in a hurry, you'll find that pole barn construction is ideally suited to the task. Pole barns are...Posted on July 20, 2006 02:07 PM
Shed Ventilation
If the only ventilation in your shed is the door, take note. You don't have to live with a stifling hot shed all summer long. You can fix things, perhaps for less than you thought possible. Of all the shed...Posted on July 17, 2006 05:25 PM
A Website About Sheds?
"So what's up with this shed thing?" It started, innocently enough, back in 1999. I was working on a book for McGraw-Hill and I needed a topic to create a mini-website with real-world examples. The topic needed to be something...Posted on July 7, 2006 12:34 AM
Potting Shed Plans
While some folks might say there's one key element that makes a potting shed different from all other sheds, I might beg to differ. Sure, you can't have a proper potting shed without a spacious potting shelf. But it's more...Posted on June 27, 2006 10:02 AM
Shed Building - Don't Let The Door Hit You ...
Planning for the right size and type of door is one of the most crucial steps in any shed building project. Simply put, you need to make sure that everything you plan on storing in your shed will fit through...Posted on June 23, 2006 09:22 AM
Building a Tiki Hut - the roof
Here's a better shot of inside corner of the tiki hut's roof: The frame of the tiki hut's roof was built in three sections using 2x2 cedar. The 4x4 foot thatch rain cape panels were attached with poly twine. Once...Posted on June 21, 2006 05:13 PM
Wooden Sheds
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of wooden sheds. After all, if you're going to build it yourself, wood's likely to be your only choice for a small backyard structure. If you're not comfortable with starting from scratch,...Posted on May 22, 2006 10:45 AM
Five Great Reasons to Build Your Own Shed
I'll say it right from the start. Building a shed isn't for everyone. But if you're one of the thousands of folks that attempt the feat and tempt fate each month, building your own shed can be quite a rewarding...Posted on May 20, 2006 04:37 PM
Vinyl Sheds
While most won't win any awards for aesthetics, vinyl sheds remain a popular choice for folks with immediate outdoor storage needs (and without the ways, means, and what-have-you to build a shed or buy a ready-made wood storage shed). While...Posted on April 30, 2006 11:51 AM
Loading Ramps, Pt. II
Loading ramps don't get any more inexpensive than this. I've been using this setup for seven years or so. I looked at a bunch of different ready-built loading ramps after I built the shed, but I couldn't beat the price....Posted on April 14, 2006 01:38 PM
Loading Ramps
Need a loading ramp? You're not alone! Generally speaking, shed building doesn't require a lot of fine finish carpentry. But that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of details. And when it comes to overlooked details, loading ramps top the...Posted on April 13, 2006 02:55 PM
Greenhouse Shed
My appreciation for my greenhouse shed always grows (cough) when it gets to this the time of year. Sometimes, I'll walk back to the shed on a cold clear day ... just to warm up. The temperature might be in...Posted on February 24, 2006 02:21 PM
Rubbermaid Storage Shed
While you won't find a Rubbermaid storage shed here at Rancho Indebto, I can certainly understand why they're so popular. There's probably no quicker way to store stuff in the backyard, short of simply throwing the junk behind the pine...Posted on February 8, 2006 03:53 PM
Seasonal Storage Space Shortage
It's the day after Christmas and you're thinking, "where am I gonna store all this stuff?" Once the wrappers, boxes, and packing material is cleared away, you realize ... it's not the new stuff that needs a home, it's the...Posted on December 26, 2005 07:14 PM
Still Time to Build That Shed Before Winter
Fall is a great time to build a shed! It seems like no matter how much garage storage space you have, you're always running short. Stuff just seems to collect in the garage, as if drawn by a giant magnet,...Posted on October 28, 2005 09:33 AM
Potting Sheds
To a serious gardener, a sturdy little potting shed is a thing of joy. Working in a potting shed gets you out of the elements, while remaining in the great outdoors. Sheltered by the potting shed roof, you can stay...Posted on September 25, 2005 02:36 PM
Free Storage Shed Plans
Looking for free storage shed plans? Look no further. I've been compiling shed plans sources since before the turn of the century, and I've seen the free storage shed plans come and go. Quite honestly, most free storage shed plans...Posted on September 9, 2005 07:34 AM
The Tool Shed
What's the difference between a tool shed and garden variety storage shed? In many cases, not all that much. There are some simple differences that can turn a box stock shed into a bona fide tool shed that would make...Posted on September 8, 2005 08:12 AM
Outdoor Storage Shed Uses
Outdoor storage shed structures can fill may roles, from pure utility to pure whimsy. Whether you choose to use an outdoor storage shed as an overflow for all of the junk that won't fit in the garage or as a...Posted on September 7, 2005 09:44 AM
My Metal Storage Shed
Metal storage sheds have their place ... just not in my backyard (anymore). My first storage shed was built of metal. It came with our first house. It wasn't bought so much as it was inherited with the property (along...Posted on September 6, 2005 01:09 PM
Shed Building Season
Summer's almost gone and that shed's not built yet? If you didn't get around to it, don't sweat it (literally). Fall's a great time to build a shed. If you've done your legwork, you'll know where to site your shed...Posted on August 31, 2005 05:42 PM
Will Build Web Sites (or Sheds) for Food
Thinking about creating a website of your own? In today's wild web world, you can get started for less money and in less time than you might think. With as little as a few hours and few dollars per month...Posted on July 14, 2005 11:39 PM
Backyard Storage Sheds
I've always said that backyard storage sheds make good economic sense. Check into the prices for public storage facilities and you'll quickly see the light. It's absolutely amazing how much these storage companies charge per month. By building your own...Posted on June 14, 2005 09:56 PM
Shed Plan
If you're looking for shed plans, you've come to the right place. This little D-I-Y shed and barn building site has helped thousands of good folks find the perfect design for their specific needs, year after year. The right shed...Posted on June 15, 2005 10:12 PM
Backyard Storage Sheds
I've always said that backyard storage sheds make good economic sense. Check into the prices for public storage facilities and you'll quickly see the light. It's absolutely amazing how much these storage companies charge per month. By building your own...Posted on June 14, 2005 09:56 PM
Building a Shed
The decision to build your own shed should not be taken lightly. One one hand, building a shed is a relatively easy project that has little potential to ruin your life during the construction phase -- when compared to a...Posted on June 8, 2005 11:39 AM
Shed Storage Tricks
The storage shed saga is inevitable. Whether you've: a) built that shed, b) had it built, or c) had it delivered ... it's only a matter of time before it fills up with stuff. Storage sheds are like magnets. They...Posted on May 18, 2005 04:06 PM
Garden Sheds - Picking the Right Design
All garden sheds are not created equal. The design is of utmost importance, whether you're building from scratch with a good set of shed plans, hammering a pre-fab shed kit, or bolting a steel building together. There is no one...Posted on May 17, 2005 08:45 AM
Free Shed Plans?
Looking for free shed plans? Over the years, I've seen the free shed plans come and go. And I've posted links to free shed plan sites that have since disappeared. Through it all, I've always wondered why someone wouldn't want...Posted on April 14, 2005 09:04 AM
Soccer Shed
Just when you think you've thought of everything you can do with that garden shed ... inspiration strikes. One of the stakes on the rebounder gave up the ghost towards the end of the fall season. So I packed it...Posted on April 3, 2005 06:43 PM
Steel Buildings for Recreation?
Steel buildings can fulfill a wide variety of roles - from agricultural and industrial to aeronautical and recreational. While the D-I-Y Shed and Barn pages have been primarily focused on wooden structures in the past, I've been doing an increasing...Posted on March 6, 2005 09:49 PM
Snowy Garden Shed
Here's a shot of the garden shed after last night's snow: I took this from the deck, looking through the dried stalks of ornamental grass. It's hard to see in this picture, but the T-111 siding is looking a bit...Posted on February 25, 2005 11:01 AM
Board and Batten Cedar Shed Siding
I originally built my little greenhouse shed with T-111 siding. It was the fast and cheap way to go. A bunch of years down the road and it's time to freshen things up. I want to cover the shed's T-111...Posted on February 18, 2005 02:39 PM
Least Favorite Tool in the Shed
Of all the tools in my storage shed, the leaf blower is my least favorite. It's stinky, noisy, and underpowered to boot. Now I don't hate it, to be sure, I just don't like it. There are three reasons I...Posted on November 23, 2004 10:24 AM
Post and Beam Shed
I've run out of room in my garden shed. A new little shed would help handle the overflow. I have a substantial stack of railroad ties that I want to turn into a post and beam shed frame. The timbers...Posted on September 22, 2004 03:28 PM
Should I Build From Shed Plans or a Shed Kit?
Whether to build from a set of well-drawn shed plans or buy a storage shed kit; that's one of the most common questions for the newbie shed builder. It all depends on your needs. On a limited budget? Building a...Posted on August 16, 2004 02:57 PM
Shed Plans - How Big Is Your Door?
It might be time to modify the shed plan again. Old green is getting a little long in tooth ... not to mention the teeth that have been stripped from the tractor's steering gear. So a new one might be...Posted on July 26, 2004 10:41 AM
Storage Shed Clean Up, Revisited
The storage shed clean up isn't done quite yet. It's one of those ongoing tasks, I'm afraid. But hey, it's a shed, not a living room. :) It's not like I live out there ......Posted on July 7, 2004 06:02 PM
Storage Shed Clean Up
We cleared a whole lot of junk out of the storage shed last week. We flattened all of the seats in the battlecruiser, threw down a plastic tarp and emptied all kinds of stuff out of the shed. "Dump Day"...Posted on June 20, 2004 01:47 AM
Extreme Garden Shed Makeover
I'm planning an extreme garden shed makeover. And it's gunna be a good one, lemmetellya. I am tired of my garden shed's T-111 siding and conventional shingle roof. Some time next month, the little backyard barn will be spruced up...Posted on June 14, 2004 04:48 PM
Garden Shed Story
I was in the midst of putting up a shelf in the bar for the Tiki mugs, when I had to run out to the garden shed to look for some nails. Like all good geek daddies, I keep my...Posted on June 12, 2004 03:48 PM
Maxed Out Storage Shed
Before you choose your storage shed plan or buy a pre-manufactured storage shed, it's essential to know just what it is you need to stow in the shed. You'll kick yourself if you run out of storage space once the...Posted on May 30, 2004 09:04 AM
Shed Plan
I'm looking for a new shed plan for ranchero indebto. I want to build a small storage shed to house our big rolling garbage can, along with the recycling buckets and crates. While I haven't found the right shed plan...Posted on May 14, 2004 10:34 AM
Backyard Shed News
My backyard shed is home to lots of tomato and pepper seedlings these days. Alas, the seedlings are a couple of weeks behind schedule. I'd like to clear the seedlings off the potting shelf and get them out of the...Posted on May 9, 2004 10:28 AM
Out of Space in the Storage Shed
My storage shed is bursting at the seams. For not only is it a storage shed, it's a greenhouse, too. Unfortunately, it's just become packed to the walls with junk. Thankfully, I didn't have to store the lawn fertilizer for...Posted on May 3, 2004 11:55 PM
Green House Shed
In the years since I built my greenhouse garden shed, I've never looked back. Building the greenhouse portion was relatively easy. With a plan designed for this express purpose, plexiglass merely replaces the plywood for the south facing saltbox roof....Posted on April 18, 2004 11:14 PM
New Shed Plans
I'm looking for a new set of shed plans. After picking up a cart for the trusty old John Deere STX 38, there's no room left in my shed. I'm actually thinking of building two little structures: one for the...Posted on March 29, 2004 11:48 PM
Steel Building
A reader wrote in and asked what I thought of steel buildings used as barns. While I love real wood post and beam, more than anything, I can understand the justification for building with steel. Steel buildings go up fast...Posted on March 24, 2004 08:44 PM
Shed Storage
Before you build a shed or buy a shed, think about how much storage space you'll need. No matter how much storage space you think you'll need in your shed, you'll likely need more. Hidden storage proved to be one...Posted on March 13, 2004 11:56 PM
Tool Shed Story
I dragged the fertilizer spreader out from behind the tool shed to get ready for spring, only to find out that the adjustment device was broken beyond repair. After having been held together with duct tape for a couple of...Posted on March 11, 2004 10:30 PM
Sheds
An Ode to Sheds. There's a lot to be said for sheds. They come in all sizes and shapes And are known by many names. The Unabomber hid in his from the feds You can see his little building in...Posted on February 27, 2004 05:30 PM
Storage in the Garden Shed
I happened to be flipping through this month's Martha Stewart magazine when I ran across an article on shed storage techniques. Rest assured, that magazine is not on my regular reading list, but my wife had mentioned that there was...Posted on February 23, 2004 12:41 PM
Garden Shed
Today marks the start of a new page on my website: the garden shed log.
It's a log, not a blog, because I haven't set up MovableType for it (just
yet). But there is a snappy little shed cam ......
Posted on February 17, 2004 01:04 PM
Storage Shed: Build from Plans or Buy a Kit?
Folks ask this question all the time, "Should I build my storage shed from a set of shed plans or should I buy a shed kit?" The answer is, in short, "it all depends." There are a number of factors...Posted on February 8, 2004 08:23 AM
Plans for the Saltbox Shed
I have big plans for my shed. It's been about seven years since I built my greenhouse/shed from a set of shed plans that I purchased from a local architect. It may be about to be covered with half a...Posted on January 26, 2004 12:20 PM
Storage Sheds and Backyard Barns
I've been writing about storage sheds and backyard barns since 1999, when I first posted my little d-i-y shed & barn website. At first, I wanted to simply list all of the shed plans I could find on the web....Posted on January 13, 2004 08:58 AM
Want to read up on other's (mis)adventures?
Building a Horse Barn on a Budget
Outdoor Storage Building - Great DIY Project from askthebuilder.com (more tips here)
Readersheds.co.uk - Share Your Shed!
Shed Building Standards from Popular Mechanics
Today's Homeowner - Stylish Sheds
Business Week - My Retreat, the Shed
Restoring a car, truck, bike, or tractor in your shed, barn or garage? Eastwood has the Coolest Tools!